SPORTS

Cairo, Egypt | AFP | Tunisia’s Esperance were declared winners of the African Champions League by CAF on Wednesday following a long legal battle after Wydad Casablanca stormed off in protest during the second leg of the final in May. Wydad “is considered to have lost the game”, African football’s governing …

 London, United Kingdom | AFP | Manchester City have Premier League immortality in their sights as they start their title defence this weekend, but Liverpool’s burning desire to get their hands on the trophy will fuel a heavyweight battle for supremacy. In the blue corner, treble winners City are at the …

Chongqing, China | AFP |  Children run around a small indoor pitch in southwest China, laughing, zigzagging between cones and tossing around a rugby ball — then one kid tears up when another fails to pass to him. “Pass it on, get up and stop crying,” coach Zhang Shuangyi instructs, with …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Former England captain Wayne Rooney is to leave Washington-based DC United after agreeing a deal to become player-coach of  Championship side Derby County, the clubs announced on Tuesday. The 33-year-old — the record goalscorer for both his country and Manchester United — signed an initial …

Bordeaux, France | AFP | Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny completed a return to France on Tuesday after agreeing a deal with Ligue 1 club Bordeaux on a reported three-year deal. The French defender, 33, made clear his desire for a move last month when he refused to travel on Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the United …

Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | South African Dale Steyn, one of the great fast bowlers of the modern era, on Monday announced his retirement from Test cricket in a bid to extend his longevity in the shorter forms of the game. Steyn, who made his international debut against England in …

Budapest, Hungary | AFP | Lewis Hamilton hailed Max Verstappen on Monday after a gripping duel in the Hungarian Grand Prix which left drivers and followers of Formula One looking forward to many more battles between the two. “There really is no better feeling from a racing driver’s point of view …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Harry Maguire became the world’s most expensive defender on Monday when Manchester United signed him for a reported fee of £80 million ($97 million). “Manchester United is delighted to confirm the signing of Harry Maguire from Leicester City,” the club said in a statement on its website. “Harry signs …

London, United Kingdom | AFP |  Arsenal’s failure to qualify for the Champions League for a third successive season, compounded by an underwhelming transfer window, has left the Gunners facing a turbulent campaign. Here, AFP Sport takes a closer look at the issues that will determine whether Unai Emery’s side …

Washington, United States | AFP |   Australia’s Nick Kyrgios overcame a mid-match meltdown and his rival’s shoe repair delays Saturday to defeat Greek top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas and reach the ATP Washington Open final. The 52nd-ranked Aussie hammered 19 aces, saved a match point and often played to the crowd …